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Adverse effects and potential mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the blood-testis barrier
Summary
This review examines how polystyrene microplastics damage the blood-testis barrier, a critical structure that protects developing sperm cells from harmful substances. Microplastics can break down this barrier through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut bacteria, allowing pollutants and immune cells to enter the reproductive system. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure may contribute to declining male fertility, a trend observed globally in recent decades.
Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles or fragments with a diameter of less than 5 mm. These particles have been identified as causing male reproductive toxicity, although the precise mechanism behind this association is yet to be fully understood. Recent research has found that exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) can disrupt spermatogenesis by impacting the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a formidable barrier within mammalian blood tissues. The BTB safeguards germ cells from harmful substances and infiltration by immune cells. However, the disruption of the BTB leads to the entry of environmental pollutants and immune cells into the seminiferous tubules, resulting in adverse reproductive effects. Additionally, PS-MPs induce reproductive damage by generating oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and alterations in the composition of intestinal flora. Despite these findings, the precise mechanism by which PS-MPs disrupt the BTB remains inconclusive, necessitating further investigation into the underlying processes. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the pernicious effects of PS-MP exposure on the BTB and explore potential mechanisms to offer novel perspectives on BTB damage caused by PS-MPs.